DJSEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. . «03 



bodies of worms ; .^i/i, in its salts, which may crystaUize out in 

 the system or at once after the liquid is discharged, or after 

 coohng, or finally, may have to be precipitated by chemical 

 reagents. 



DIURESIS. DIABETES INSIPIDUS. POLYURIA. 



Excessive secretion of urine. I'his may occur in any animal 

 from agents, medicinal or alimentary, which unduly stimulate 

 the kidneys. The horse, however, is the most frequent sufferer, 

 being more than any other animal subjected to reckless dosing 

 by those about him with private nostrums and much advertised 

 quack preparations, and to the exclusive use of musty and 

 injured hay and grain. Musty hay, grain, or bran is perhaps 

 tlie most common cause, the noxious agent being probably the 

 cryptogams produced on this damp, heated fodder. Musty 

 oatmeal will even affect the human being. New oats, very 

 watery food like the refuse of distilleries, and cooked food, 

 seleniteous waters, acrid diuretic plants in the pastures or hay, 

 exposure to extreme cold and wet, and excessive thirst conse- 

 quent on feeding salt or on irritation of the stomach are other 

 causes. Whole flocks of sheep sometimes suffer at once from 

 acrid- plants eaten. 



Symptons. — Frequent — often almost constant — passage of a 

 very pale-coloured urine in large quantities and of low specific 

 gravity, insatiable thirst, rapid falling off in condition and 

 spirits, sluggishness and weakness at work, and perspiration on 

 the slightest exertion. The discharges are comjjaratively in- 

 odorous and more like water than horse's urine, and contain 

 little soUd matter, though the quantity of soHds passed in 

 twenty-four hours is in excess. The skin becomes rough and 

 hide-bound, and all the signs of ill-health set in, though the 

 animal may suffer and survive for months or even a year. 

 More commonly he dies early of exhaustion, or glanders super- 

 venes and kills the patient. 



